MLB playoffs: Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez not on AL Wild Card roster vs. Yankees due to injured ankle

The Red Sox host the Yankees Tuesday evening within the AL Wild Card Game. Rosters have been submitted by every crew and whereas we would often be trying by means of the bullpen and bench gamers to search out something mildly attention-grabbing, there’s one thing enormous protruding at us on the Purple Sox roster: J.D. Martinez is not on it. 

Martinez injured his ankle whereas taking area within the fifth inning throughout Sunday’s regular-season finale in opposition to the Nationals. He tripped over second base. Martinez left with what the crew later introduced as a left ankle sprain.

Martinez is, after all, a power in the course of the Purple Sox offense when he is within the lineup. He hit .286/.349/.518 (126 OPS+) with 28 homers, 99 RBI and an MLB-best 42 doubles this season. He is hit third many of the season however has not too long ago settled into the five-hole in Alex Cora’s lineup. 

Talking of Cora’s lineup, we now know it could’t have Martinez in it on Tuesday evening. Count on Kyle Schwarber within the designated hitter spot, Hunter Renfroe in proper area, Alex Verdugo in left area and Bobby Dalbec at first base. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers will fill the three and 4 spots within the lineup, as they’ve been for a while. Maybe Schwarber sits within the two gap and Renfroe hits fifth. 

There is not any potential solution to spin Martinez being out as a superb factor, however possibly Purple Sox followers may take solace in figuring out this: After the All-Star break, Martinez hit .268/.320/.467 after a .299/.371/.556 first half. So whereas this can be a blow, it isn’t practically as huge a blow as if Devers was out. 

The Purple Sox gained their final three video games to make the postseason, however had misplaced 5 of six earlier than that. They went 10-9 in opposition to the Yankees this season, however have misplaced their final six in opposition to the Yankees. 

2021 MLB postseason gear now obtainable

The 2021 MLB Playoffs begin Oct. 5 and 6 with the AL and NL Wild Card video games. In celebration, 2021 MLB postseason gear is now obtainable for choose groups. Shop hoodies, shirts, and more here.

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